Forward advancing cutlery dispenser

ABSTRACT

The present application provides a cutlery dispenser for dispensing a number of cutlery utensils. The cutlery dispenser may include a housing, a front cover enclosing the housing, a dispensing wedge, and a dispensing trough positioned on the front cover. The dispensing wedge angles a leading cutlery utensil into the dispensing trough for dispensing therethrough.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present application and the resultant patent relate generally todispensers for cutlery utensils and more particularly relate to aforward advancing cutlery dispenser for dispensing one utensil at a timein a controlled and hygienic manner with simplified components.

BACKGROUND

Restaurants and other types of retail outlets often provide cutleryutensils in open self-serve dispensing bins. Consumers may retrieve afork, a spoon, a knife, a spork, and the like directly therefrom. Suchopen dispensing bins, however, may have at least the appearance of beingsomewhat unhygienic in that the cutlery utensils may not be enclosed orwrapped. Consumers may react negatively in that the remaining utensilsthus may be touched or otherwise contacted while a selected utensil isbeing removed from the dispensing bin.

To address these concerns relating to the cutlery utensils, enclosedcutlery dispensers have been used. The cutlery utensils may be placed ina utensil compartment and may be dispensed one at a time on command.Generally described, these dispensers may operate via gravity or via adispensing lever, a rotating belt, and/or other types of dispensingmechanisms. The mechanics of these dispensing mechanisms, however, maybe complex and hence may be subject to malfunction. Further, thesedispensers typically may be somewhat bulky and may occupy a significantfootprint on an already crowded countertop and the like.

There is thus a desire for an improved dispenser for cutlery utensilsand the like. Preferably such an improved dispenser may be easy andhygienic to load and to dispense the cutlery utensils therefrom with areduced overall footprint and simplified dispensing mechanics.

SUMMARY

The present application and the resultant patent thus provide a cutlerydispenser for dispensing a number of cutlery utensils positioned withina stack. The cutlery dispenser may include a housing, a front coverenclosing the housing, a dispensing wedge, and a dispensing troughpositioned on the front cover. The dispensing wedge angles a leadingcutlery utensil into the dispensing trough for dispensing therethrough.

The present application and the resultant patent further provide amethod of dispensing cutlery utensils from a dispenser. The method mayinclude the steps of pushing a stack of cutlery utensils into thedispenser, holding the stack of cutlery utensils in place via a pair offlexors when a front cover of the dispenser is open, closing the frontcover, releasing the pair of flexors when the front cover is closed, andpushing several of the cutlery utensils into a fanned position about thefront cover.

The present application and the resultant patent further provide acutlery dispenser. The cutlery dispenser may include a housing, a frontcover enclosing the housing, a dispensing wedge positioned about thefront cover, and a stack of cutlery utensils positioned within thehousing. A number of the cutlery utensils may have a fanned positionabout the front cover.

These and other features and improvements of the present application andthe resultant patent will become apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art upon review of the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the several drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cutlery dispenser as may be describedherein.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the cutlery dispenser of FIG. 1with the front cover removed.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the pusher assembly and thefront cover of the cutlery dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the flexors and the flexorspreaders of the cutlery dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a fork that may be used with thecutlery dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5B is a front plan view of the fork of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a back plan view of the fork of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5D is a right side plan view of the fork of FIG. 5A, the left sideplan view being the same.

FIG. 5E is a top plan view of the fork of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5F is a bottom plan view of the fork of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5G is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a forkthat may be used with the cutlery dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a spoon that may be used with thecutlery dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6B is a front plan view of the spoon of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a rear plan view of the spoon of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6D is a right side plan view of the spoon of FIG. 6A, the left sideplan view being the same.

FIG. 6E is a top plan view of the spoon of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6F is a bottom plan view of the spoon of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a knife that may be used with thecutlery dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7B is a front plan view of the knife of FIG. 7A, the rear plan viewbeing the same.

FIG. 7C is a right side plan view of the knife of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7D is a left side plan view of the knife of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7E is a top plan view of the knife of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7F is a bottom plan view of the knife of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a stack of cutlery utensils that may beused with the cutlery dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the cutlery dispenser of FIG. 1 in adispensing orientation.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a cutlerydispenser as may be described herein with a pair of pivot arms.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the pair of pivot arms of the cutlerydispenser of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to likeelements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows an example of acutlery dispenser 100 as may be described herein. The cutlery dispenser100 may be used with a number of cutlery utensils 115. As will bedescribed in more detail below, any number of the cutlery utensils 115may be used herein in any suitable size, shape, or configuration. Thecutlery utensils 115 may or may not be configured for specific use inthe cutlery dispenser 100 described herein. Other types of items alsomay be dispensed from the cutlery dispenser 100.

The cutlery dispenser 100 may include a housing 110. The housing 110 maybe enclosed by a front cover 120. The cutlery dispenser 100, and thecomponents thereof, may have any suitable size, shape, or configuration.Specifically, the cutlery dispenser 100 and the components thereof, maybe sized to accommodate the various types of cutlery utensils 115 forloading therein and for dispensing therefrom. The cutlery dispenser 100,and the components thereof, may be made out of any suitable type ofsubstantially rigid material including thermoplastics such aspolypropylene, metals such as aluminum, composite materials, and thelike. Different types of materials may be used herein. The cutlerydispenser may be fixed and mounted or free standing and portable.

FIGS. 2-4 show an example of the internal components of the cutlerydispenser 110. Specifically, the housing 110 may have a number of guideribs 130 formed or positioned on an inner wall thereof. In this example,a pair of upper guide ribs 140 and a pair of lower guide ribs 150 areshown. Any number of the guide ribs 130 may be used herein. Some or allof the guide ribs 130 may be positioned and/or sized and shaped to matcha complimentary shaped utensil 115 such that only preferred utensils 115of a specific size and shape may be used herein. The guide ribs 130 mayhave any suitable size, shape, or configuration. The guide ribs 130 maymaintain the cutlery utensils 115 tracking towards the front cover 120while also maintaining the substantially vertical position of theutensils 115.

At least the pair of upper guide ribs 140 may have a flexor 160 formedat the forward ends thereof. The flexors 160 may include a downwardlydescending flange 165 intended to be in contact with the leading utensil115 so as to hold the utensils 115 in place while loading, i.e., whilethe front cover 120 is open. The flexors 160 may have a degree offlexibility and memory as will be described in more detail below. Asillustrated, the flexors 160 may maintain the cutlery utensils 115 inposition adjacent to the front cover 120 or elsewhere until the frontcover 120 is closed. Other components and other configurations may beused herein.

Positioned within the housing 110 adjacent to the guide ribs 130 may bea number of support tracks 170. In this example, a first support track180 and a second support track 190 are shown. Any number of the supporttracks 170 may be used. The support tracks 170 may be attached orotherwise positioned about the inner wall of the housing 110. Each ofthe support tracks 170 may include an upper flange 200 and a lowerflange 210. The flanges 200, 210 may extend toward the guide ribs 130.The support tracks 170 may have any suitable size, shape, orconfiguration. Other components and other configurations may be usedherein.

A pusher assembly 220 may be positioned on the support tracks 170 formovement therealong. The pusher assembly 220 may include a pusherelement 230. The pusher element 230 may have a substantially flatabutment surface 240 and a number of pusher flanges 250. The pusherelement 230 may have any suitable size, shape, or configuration. Thepusher flanges 250 may be sized to accommodate the flanges 220, 210 ofthe support tracks 170 for movement thereon. The pusher assembly 220also may include an upper pusher bar 260. The upper pusher bar 260 maybe largely “T” shaped and also may be in contact with the upper portionsof the last cutlery utensil 115. The ends of the upper pusher bar 260may extend outside of the housing 110. If the ends do extend outside,the housing 110 may have a track therein for the ends to move along thelength of the housing 110. The ends of the upper pusher bar 260 thus mayact as a refill indicator and the like. Other types of refill or statusindicators and/or structure may be used herein.

The pusher assembly 220 also may include at least one biasing member 255or other type of advancement mechanism so as to drive the pusher element230 towards the front cover 120 such that the cutlery utensils 115 maybe dispensed therefrom. The biasing members 255 may include springs,rubber bands, magnets, and the like to push the pusher element 230. Inthis example, the biasing members 255 may be in the form of a pair ofcoil springs 265. Other types of mechanisms may be used herein so as tobias the pusher element 230 forward. Other components and otherconfigurations may be used herein.

A retainer 270 may be positioned about the base of the housing 110 andadjacent to the front cover 120. The retainer 270 may be spring loadedso as to fold downward and allow the cutlery utensils 115 to be loadedtherein and then spring back so as to maintain the utensils 115 inplace. Other types of biasing mechanisms may be used herein. Theretainer 270 may have a pair of retainer arms 280 defining a retaineraperture 290 therebetween. A retainer barb 295 may extend over theretainer aperture 290 or elsewhere and face inward within the housing110. The retainer 270, and the components thereof, may have any suitablesize, shape, or configuration. Other components and other configurationsmay be used herein.

FIGS. 1 and 3 show and example of the front cover 120. The front cover120 may include a dispensing aperture 300. The dispensing aperture 300may be sized and shaped to allow the cutlery utensils 115 to be graspedand removed one at a time therethrough. The dispensing aperture 300 mayhave an angled dispensing trough 310 at the bottom thereof. The angleddispensing trough 310 may be sized and angled for a single cutleryutensil 115 to rest therein for easy removal while preventing theremoval of multiple utensils 115 at once. Specifically, the top of theangled dispensing trough 310 may have a depth of slightly more than oneutensil 115 or so. Other components and other configurations may be usedherein.

The front cover 120 may include a hinge 320. The hinge 320 allows thefront cover 120 to rotate open and allows the cutlery utensils 115 to beloaded within the housing 110. Although the hinge 320 is shown as beingon the top of the housing 110, the hinge 320 may be on the bottom and/orthe sides.

As is shown in FIG. 3, the inside of the front cover 120 also mayinclude a dispensing wedge 330 formed or positioned thereon. Thedispensing wedge 330 may be sized to fit within the retainer aperture290 between the retainer arms 280 of the retainer 270 when the frontcover 120 is closed such that the dispensing wedge 280 may be in contactwith the leading utensil 115 and push the leading utensil 115 into thedispensing trough 310 at an angle.

As is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front cover 120 also may have a pairof flexor spreaders 345 formed or positioned thereon. The flexorspreaders 345 may be positioned adjacent to the dispensing aperture 300such that the flexor spreaders 345 may align with the flexors 160 whenthe front cover 120 is closed. The flexor spreaders 345 may beblock-like 346 (FIG. 3) or prong-like 347 (FIG. 4) so as to engage thedownwardly descending flange 165 or other structure of the flexors 160and spread the flexors 160 laterally or otherwise so as to release thecutlery utensils 115 from contact therewith. The flexor spreaders 345may have any suitable size, shape, or configuration. Other types ofspreading mechanisms may be used herein to release the flexors 160 fromthe utensils. Other components and other configurations also may be usedherein.

FIGS. 5A-5F show an example of the cutlery utensil 115. In this example,the cutlery utensil 115 may be in the form of a fork 350. The fork 350may have one or more skewer apertures 360 therein. The skewer apertures360 may be sized and shaped for a skewer 370 or other type of joindermember or loading member to extend therethrough. The fork 350 also mayhave a retainer notch 380 formed therein. The retainer notch 380 may besized to accommodate the retainer barb 295 of the retainer 270. The fork350 also may have an angled end 375. The angled ends 375 allow the forks350 to be fanned when placed together. The angled ends 375 may have anysuitable angle depending in part on the desired distance between thetines of the fork 350 when placed together. As is shown in FIG. 5F, allor part of the fork 350 may be covered with a wrapper 355. In thisexample, just the tines of the fork 350 may be covered. The wrapper 355may have any suitable size, shape, or configuration and may be made outof any suitable material such as thermoplastics, paper, and the like.

As is shown in FIGS. 6A-6F, a spoon 390 also may be used herein.Likewise as shown in FIGS. 7A-7F, a knife 400 may be used herein. Aspork or any type of utensil 115 also may be used herein. The spoon 390,the fork 400, or other type of utensil 115 may include the skeweraperture 360, the angled end 375, and the retainer notch 380 therein.The wrapper 355 also may be used with any of the utensils 115. Theutensils 115 may be sized for use with the cutlery dispenser 100.Combinations of different types of utensils 115 may be used hereintogether in any order, i.e., the cutlery dispenser 100 may dispense thefork 350, the spoon 390, and the knife 400 separately or in combination.

As is shown in FIG. 8, a stack 405 of the cutlery utensils 115 may beused herein. The stack 405 may be nested or otherwise oriented. Theskewer 370 may extend through the skewer apertures 360. The skewer 370may extend through the stack 405 for ease of transport and for ease ofloading. The skewer 370 may be removed once the stack 405 is positionedwithin the housing 110. Other types of joinder members or other types ofconnection devices may be used herein to hold the stack 405 together.For example, shrink bands and the like may be used herein. Othercomponents and other configurations may be used herein.

In use, the front cover 120 of the cutlery dispenser 100 may be openedand the stack 405 of the cutlery utensils 115 may be aligned along theguide ribs 130 and pushed therein. The retainer 270 may pivot downwarduntil all of the utensils 115 have passed therethrough. The retainer 270then may spring back into a substantially vertical position so as tomaintain the utensils 115 in place adjacent to the front cover 120.Specifically, the retainer barb 295 of the retainer 270 may mate withthe retainer notch 380 in the handle at the bottom of the leadingutensil 115 while the flexors 160 contact the top of the leading utensil115 for maintaining the utensils 115 firmly in place and in alignment.The skewer 370 then may be removed from the stack 405. Once the frontcover 120 is closed, the cutlery dispenser 100 may be ready for“one-at-a-time” dispensing of the cutlery utensils 115 therein.

The dispensing wedge 330 maneuvers through the retainer aperture 290 asthe front cover 120 is closed. The dispensing wedge 330 thus comes intocontact with the angled bottom 375 of the leading utensil 115 so as topush the leading utensil 115 out of engagement with the retainer bard295. Likewise, the flexor spreaders 345 come into contact with theflexors 160 to push the flexors 160 out of engagement with the leadingutensil 115. The first several utensils 115 thus are now free to assumea fanned position 395 as is shown in the dispensing orientation of FIG.9. Specifically, the leading utensil 115 is now free for dispensingthrough the dispensing trough 310 at an angle. The extent of the fannedposition 395 may depend, in part, on the nature and angle of thedispensing trough 310, the dispensing wedge 330, and/or the angledbottoms 375. The fanned position 395 also promotes, in combination withthe wrapper 355, the appearance of cleanliness in that the utensils 115are separated from each other during dispensing. The pusher assembly 270pushes the utensils 115 forward as each one is removed. Of interest isthe fact that the cutlery dispenser 100 described herein may operate inany orientation given that the dispenser does not rely on gravity todispense. Other components and other configurations may be used herein.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show an alternative embodiment of a cutlery dispenser410 as may be described herein. Instead of using the flexors 160 on theguide ribs 130, the cutlery dispenser 410 may include a number of pivotarms 420 to maintain the stack 405 in place. The pivot arms 420 may bespring loaded or otherwise biased. The pivot arms 420 may have a barb430 on one end thereof. The barbs 430 may have a lead-in surface 440 atan end thereof. The pivot arms 420 may pivot about a pivot point 450.Other types of flexors 160 may be used herein. Other components andother configurations may be used herein.

In use, the stack 405 may be pushed through the pivot arms 420 via thelead-in surface 440 on the barbs 430. The barbs 430 then may close tomaintain the stack 405 in place. One the front cover 120 is closed, theflexor spreaders 345 may open the pivot arms 420 such the utensils 115may be dispensed in a manner similar to that described above. Othertypes of biasing means may be used herein. Other components and otherconfigurations also may be used herein.

It should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to certainembodiments of the present application and the resultant patent.Numerous changes and modifications may be made herein by one of ordinaryskill in the art without departing from the general spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined by the following claims and the equivalentsthereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cutlery dispenser for dispensing a number ofcutlery utensils, comprising: a housing; a front cover enclosing thehousing; a dispensing wedge; and a dispensing trough positioned on thefront cover; wherein the dispensing wedge angles a leading cutleryutensil into the dispensing trough for dispensing therethrough.
 2. Thecutlery dispenser of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a pluralityof guide ribs formed or positioned therein.
 3. The cutlery dispenser ofclaim 2, wherein the plurality of guide ribs conforms at least in partto the configuration of the number of cutlery utensils.
 4. The cutlerydispenser of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a plurality offlexors formed or positioned therein.
 5. The cutlery dispenser of claim4, wherein the plurality of flexors comprises a downwardly descendingflange.
 6. The cutlery dispenser of claim 4, wherein the plurality offlexors comprises a pivot arm.
 7. The cutlery dispenser of claim 1,further comprising a pusher assembly positioned within the housing so asto advance the number of cutlery utensils towards the front cover. 8.The cutlery dispenser of claim 7, wherein the housing comprises aplurality of support tracks and wherein the pusher assembly ispositioned about the plurality of support tracks for movement thereon.9. The cutlery dispenser of claim 7, wherein the pusher assemblycomprises an abutment surface intended for contact with a stack of thenumber of cutlery utensils.
 10. The cutlery dispenser of claim 7,wherein the pusher assembly comprises a biasing member.
 11. The cutlerydispenser of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a spring loadedretainer positioned about the front cover.
 12. The cutlery dispenser ofclaim 11, wherein the spring loaded retainer comprises a retaineraperture sized for the dispensing wedge to pass therethrough when thefront cover is closed.
 13. The cutlery dispenser of claim 11, whereinthe spring loaded retainer comprises a retainer barb extending into thehousing and intended for contact with the leading cutlery utensil whenthe front cover is open.
 14. The cutlery dispenser of claim 1, whereinthe dispensing trough is sized to permit the number of cutlery utensilsto pass therethrough one at one time.
 15. A method of dispensing cutleryutensils from a dispenser, comprising: pushing a stack of cutleryutensils into the dispenser; holding the stack of cutlery utensils inplace via a pair of flexors when a front cover of the dispenser is open;closing the front cover; releasing the pair of flexors when the frontcover is closed; and pushing several of the cutlery utensils into afanned position about the front cover.
 16. A cutlery dispenser,comprising: a housing; a front cover enclosing the housing; a dispensingwedge positioned about the front cover; and a stack of cutlery utensilspositioned within the housing; a plurality of the cutlery utensils inthe stack comprising a fanned position about the front cover.
 17. Thecutlery dispenser of claim 16, wherein the housing comprises a retainerwith a retainer barb and wherein the plurality of cutlery utensilscomprises a retainer notch formed therein.
 18. The cutlery dispenser ofclaim 16, wherein the plurality of cutlery utensils comprises a skeweraperture therein sized for a skewer.
 19. The cutlery dispenser of claim16, wherein the plurality of cutlery utensils comprises an angled end.20. The cutlery dispenser of claim 16, wherein the front cover comprisesa dispensing trough sized for a single cutlery utensil.